Gamecocks ranked ninth in first coaches poll

South Carolina quarterback Dylan Thompson and the Gamecocks were ranked ninth in the first coaches poll of the season.

C Michael Bergen/The State

Staff reports

Published: Thursday, July 31, 2014 at 10:42 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, July 31, 2014 at 10:42 p.m.

The University of South Carolina football team begins the 2014 season ranked ninth in the preseason Amway Coaches Poll, released by USA Today on Thursday.

The Gamecocks, coming off their third-straight 11-2 campaign, received 1,009 points, including one first-place vote. Defending national champion Florida State was an overwhelming pick to repeat as national champions, collecting 56 of the 62 first place votes and 1,543 points overall. Alabama (1,455), Oklahoma (1,382), Oregon (1,314) and Auburn (1,271) round out the top five. Ohio State (1,267), UCLA (1,085) and Michigan State (1,050) begin the second five, just ahead of South Carolina. Baylor (965) rounds out the top 10.

In addition to Florida State and South Carolina, Oklahoma (3), Oregon (1) and Ohio State (1) received first-place votes.

The Gamecocks finished fourth in both the Associated Press and Coaches polls last season, their highest postseason ranking in school history.

The Gamecocks officially reported for fall camp on Thursday, with the first practice scheduled for Friday at the Bluff Road practice fields, beginning at 7:15 p.m. It is open to the public.

<p>The University of South Carolina football team begins the 2014 season ranked ninth in the preseason Amway Coaches Poll, released by USA Today on Thursday.</p><p>The Gamecocks, coming off their third-straight 11-2 campaign, received 1,009 points, including one first-place vote. Defending national champion Florida State was an overwhelming pick to repeat as national champions, collecting 56 of the 62 first place votes and 1,543 points overall. Alabama (1,455), Oklahoma (1,382), Oregon (1,314) and Auburn (1,271) round out the top five. Ohio State (1,267), UCLA (1,085) and Michigan State (1,050) begin the second five, just ahead of South Carolina. Baylor (965) rounds out the top 10.</p><p> In addition to Florida State and South Carolina, Oklahoma (3), Oregon (1) and Ohio State (1) received first-place votes.</p><p>The Gamecocks finished fourth in both the Associated Press and Coaches polls last season, their highest postseason ranking in school history.</p><p>The Gamecocks officially reported for fall camp on Thursday, with the first practice scheduled for Friday at the Bluff Road practice fields, beginning at 7:15 p.m. It is open to the public.</p>